An amendment was proposed to reduce income tax to 5%. An amendment to the amendment stating that it can't take effect until the department of revenue does a study on numerous related consequences.

The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part XII, clause 1: TAXES AND PUBLIC SERVICES: Massachusetts Democrats condemn the tax cuts that leave cities and towns to fend for themselves with only the regressive property tax as the primary source of revenue.

Voted YES on Replacing restrictions on local aid allocations.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part XII: TAXES AND SERVICES:Clause 4: Local aid.

A budget amendment (introduced by Rep. Jones, R, North Reading) to Section 44 of the proposed FY06 budget would require that half of state revenue above $14.6 billion must go to local aid, up to $200 million total. The replacement amendment (introduced by Rep. St. Fleur, D, Boston) would maintain the existing local aid distribution formula. A vote of YEA would replace the restricted formula with the existing distribution formula.

The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part XII, clause 4: TAXES AND PUBLIC SERVICES: Recognizing that small communities face unique challenges in providing government services with largely volunteer citizen officials, we support state and regional efforts to educate and empower local officials with the information and resources necessary to carry out their duties in a professional manner.